Counter flow scrubber column and method for removing volatile organic compounds from a fluid stream

Abstract

A counter flow scrubber column and method for removing volatile organic compounds from a fluid stream using a packed column, a columns with trays and a biodiesel or a biomass and allowing a user to view the status of the cleaned vapor using an executive dashboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1. A method for removing volatile organic compounds from a fluid stream comprising:
 a. flowing clean biodiesel into a packing in a housing in a first direction until the packing is wetted; 
 b. continuously flowing contaminated fluid with volatile organic compounds into the housing; 
 c. using a contaminated vapor distribution manifold, creating a second flow of contaminated vapors in a second direction upwardly opposite the first direction; 
 d. continuously allowing contaminated vapors to rise and pass in the second direction through the packing with biodiesel or biomass, forming a cleaned vapor, wherein the packing is disposed between a distribution grid and a packing support grid in the housing; 
 e. continuously allowing cleaned vapor to exit an upper portion of the housing; 
 f. continuously allowing the biodiesel or biomass to fall to a lower portion of the housing in the first direction and exit the housing as recycle contaminated fluid; and 
 g. continuously pumping the recycle contaminated fluid comprising biodiesel or biomass to the recycle contaminated fluid inlet port and flowing the recycle contaminated fluid over the packing until a concentration of volatile organic compounds in the cleaned vapor stream exceeds 100 ppm. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuously monitoring the cleaned vapor with at least one sensor connected to a controller. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the cleaned vapor over at least one network with an executive dashboard on a client device using computer instructions in an administrative server connected to the network and at least one controller, and computer instructions in at least one client device connected to the network and at least one controller. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biodiesel or biomass comprises at least one short chain alkyl ester formed by trans-esterification of plant, fish, bird, or other animal fats. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biodiesel and biomass perform an operation selected from the group consisting of: absorb, adsorb, solubilize, react, and combinations thereof, the volatile organic compounds with the biodiesel.